Dog walkers could be slapped with £1000 fine for breaking common rule – here’s how to avoid paying out

AROUND 1,000 tonnes of dog poo is dropped in the UK each day by an estimated eight million pets.

Dog walkers who refuse to clean up their pooch's mess could be slapped with a £1,000 fine for breaking this common rule.

Anyone in control of a dog is obliged to pick up their poo in public areas, however, this is ignored by some unruly Brits.

Contrary to popular belief, you can’t get out of paying the fine if the animal doesn’t belong to you.

The Dog Fouling Act of 2016 places responsibility on the person "in charge of the dog" at the time of the misdemeanour.

Owners can be fined between £50-£80 on the spot if they fail to clear up after their dog’s mess.

That fine can rise to £1000 if you refuse to pay and the case is escalated to the courts.

In some constituencies, you can be stuck with a penalty for forgetting to carry poo bags or pooper scoopers when walking your furry friend.

This price varies from council to council and refusing to pay up can land you in court.

Those with disabilities that restrict their sight or mobility are exempt, including pet owners that are registered as blind.

Working animals, such as police or sheepdogs, are also unlikely to be fined if they poop while on duty.

Dog walkers could also face a £1000 fine for taking a dog off its lead in certain areas across the UK.

Although taking your dog off its lead is permitted in the majority of UK parks and wooded areas - it is actually illegal in some spots.

If you don't see any signs alerting you to any restrictions, then it is most likely acceptable to let your canine roam free.

But dogs typically need to be on a lead near roads, footpaths, car parks, play areas and certain ponds or streams at some times of the year.

Flower beds, beaches, and pitches are considered off-limits, but it is important to keep an eye out for signs alerting dog owners to the rules.

Local authorities can implement a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to exclude dogs from certain areas or instruct owners to put them on a lead.

If you ignore the regulations put into force by the PSPO, you can be slapped with an on the spot fixed penalty notice of £100.

Those who go to court for breaching a PSPO or a Dog Control Order could be fined up to a whopping £1,000 if prosecuted.